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Galley Tables

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It looks
like the city of Kodiak's compost test bed project was successful in its first
summer of operation. Public Works Director Mark Kozak says the compost pile
near the sewage treatment plant kept about 30-tons of sludge out of the
borough's land-fill. And even though that sounds like a lot, it's just a drop
in the honey bucket compared to what the compost project might be able to use.
Thirty-tons is not quite a week's worth of bio-solids, which is left over from
sewer treatment.

Kozak says
samples have been sent to the state for analysis, which will confirm the
compost pile's effectiveness. He said the pile did reach the required
140-degrees for three days each time it was turned:

--(Compost 126 sec"We
don't have results ... things of that nature.")

There were
a few initial reports of odor from the compost pile, which is on Spruce Cape
Road, but Kozak said it quickly dissipated.

--(Compost 240 sec"During
the mixing process ... well for us that way.")

Kozak said
once the samples have been confirmed not to have any fecal coli form or other
pathogens left in it, the compost can be given out to the public.

--(Compost 329 sec"Because
this is a trial ... their yards or wherever.")

Since the
compost bed has been covered for the winter, any distribution will have to take
place in the spring, after the wood chip additions - called "amendments" - are
screened out. The compost needs more than just the bio-solids from the treatment
plant to function properly. Kozak said cardboard could be used, but it'd have
to be shredded or cut into small pieces first.